Expert: Ken Alan - 6/9/2006

Question
Hi Ken,
I'm a 53 year old female.I've been using a treadmill mostly at the gym to lose weight and i'm doing pretty well.My question is does it make a difference when you use a sauna? I have been using it occasionally ,only briefly after exercise to relax.I drink plenty of water before and after to avoid dehydration.Someone told me the sauna could cause a constriction of the arteries and shouldn't be used after exercise.Other than dehydration are there any hazzards involved with taking a sauna?Is there a better time to use it?
Thanks,
Jo

Answer
Good question.

Heat doesn't constrict arteries.  It does the opposite.

The only thing to be aware of is how hard you exercised and how long before you enter the sauna after the exercise.   You could overheat yourself.

If you're feeling okay with what you're currently doing, you're fine.  If you ever feel light-headed, weak, real warm, you're overheating, so don't go in for so long, or wait a bit longer before you enter so you can cool-down first after your workout.

You're doing the right thing drinking lots of water.  Keep that up.

Hope this helps, and keep on exercising!